The other day there was a road sign above a bridge you could read from the boat, it was Warwick 8 miles, 8 MILES? we had left Warwick three days ago. At 4 miles an hour you could have walked back in 2 hours, oh well, no rush.
This was the start of one of the biggest and very new housing estates that we have ever seen, it went on for miles.
Very posh too, this bit just led to the canal but I think that centre bit is a waterfall when it is working.
Now this was fun! a lift bridge with a difference. having the correct key enabled you to press buttons and lower the barriers across the road to stop the traffic then to raise the bridge for the boat to dawdle through. Hope no one was in a hurry.
Now... how do I lower it again?
Another short tunnel, this time called Brandwood. Note the graffiti, this was everywhere around here ruining these age old structures. We realised we might have to keep going far longer than we intended to as the boats moored opposite the tow path had their windows covered with metal and unbreakable plastic. That stops the stones, then they were chained and padlocked to their mooring rings. That stops them being set adrift, nice area this. At one bridge BW were painting out the Graffiti and told us they had to moor the barge opposite the towpath as it had been set alight in the past. 
This is the inside with all the deposits from the water clearly visible. That bit in the bottom left is all that remains of the hand rail that was used to pull the boats through while the horses went around.
Another ruined part, this was a Guillotine type lock and known as a stop lock as it served to stop the water from flowing into another company's canal. It no longer works but as is the norm around here it has been "painted".
Now... how do I lower it again?Another short tunnel, this time called Brandwood. Note the graffiti, this was everywhere around here ruining these age old structures. We realised we might have to keep going far longer than we intended to as the boats moored opposite the tow path had their windows covered with metal and unbreakable plastic. That stops the stones, then they were chained and padlocked to their mooring rings. That stops them being set adrift, nice area this. At one bridge BW were painting out the Graffiti and told us they had to moor the barge opposite the towpath as it had been set alight in the past.
I'm feeling better already.
Onward!
This is the inside with all the deposits from the water clearly visible. That bit in the bottom left is all that remains of the hand rail that was used to pull the boats through while the horses went around.
Another ruined part, this was a Guillotine type lock and known as a stop lock as it served to stop the water from flowing into another company's canal. It no longer works but as is the norm around here it has been "painted".Another turn and we are on the Worcester & Birmingham canal, a little way down and we are moored for the night. The wind has been increasing in strength all day and is now a full gale, there are bits of tree hitting the roof with quite a bang.
Bring back the Ducks.
Until tomorrow..............
No comments:
Post a Comment